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Updated: Jun 26, 2026
Diagnosis of Ecto- and Endoparasites in Laboratory Rats and Mice
Published on: September 6, 2011
The first record on Giardia muris from mice in Turkey
Neslihan Sursal1, Kader Yildiz2
1Department of Parasitology, Faculty of Veterinary Medicine, Aksaray University, Aksaray, Turkey.
Abstract:
Giardia muris has been reported from both laboratory and wild rodents in worldwide. During routine care, soft consistency was observed in feces of Swiss albino mice. Motile Giardia spp. trophozoites were observed microscopically on all fecal preparations after stained with Lugol's iodine solution. The trophozoites were broadly ovoid in a form with a pointed end. They possess two large nuclei and an adhesive disk whose length overlapped one-half of the trophozoite body length. The caudal flagella are unequal. β giardin (bg) gene region of isolates was successfully amplified and sequenced. According to sequence analyses of the bg gene region, the mice isolate was identified as G. muris and deposited in GenBank (Accession Number: MK675656). The bg sequence of G. muris was shown 99.3-99.7% identity with the isolates of G. muris reported from different countries in GenBank. We have firstly demonstrated G. muris trophozoites in the fecal samples of naturally infected Swiss albino mice in Turkey.
Insights
Giardia muris, a parasite affecting rodents, was identified in Swiss albino mice in Turkey. Molecular analysis of the beta-giardin gene confirmed the G. muris identification, showing high similarity to global isolates.
Area of Science:
- Veterinary Parasitology
- Microbiology
- Molecular Biology
Background:
- Giardia muris is a known intestinal parasite of rodents, found globally.
- Previous reports have documented G. muris in laboratory and wild rodent populations worldwide.
- The presence of G. muris in Swiss albino mice in Turkey had not been previously documented.
Purpose of the Study:
- To identify Giardia species in Swiss albino mice exhibiting soft feces.
- To molecularly characterize the identified Giardia isolates using the beta-giardin gene.
- To confirm the presence of Giardia muris in naturally infected mice in Turkey.
Main Methods:
- Fecal samples from Swiss albino mice with soft stools were examined microscopically after Lugol's iodine staining.
- Motile Giardia trophozoites were observed and morphologically characterized.
- The beta-giardin (bg) gene was amplified and sequenced from the isolates.
Main Results:
- Microscopic examination revealed Giardia spp. trophozoites with characteristic morphology (broadly ovoid, two nuclei, adhesive disk, unequal caudal flagella).
- Sequence analysis of the bg gene confirmed the isolate as Giardia muris.
- The G. muris isolate showed 99.3-99.7% sequence identity with previously reported G. muris isolates globally.
Conclusions:
- This study provides the first molecular confirmation of Giardia muris in naturally infected Swiss albino mice in Turkey.
- The findings highlight the importance of monitoring Giardia infections in laboratory rodent populations.
- The genetic similarity to global isolates suggests potential for widespread distribution and transmission.
